Portable personal monitor device and associated methods

ABSTRACT

The technology relates to portable personal monitor device and associated methods. In particular, the technology provides for improving the capability of personal monitor device systems by enabling functions such as two-way communications from the personal monitor; associating possible threats with one or more locations; and dynamically determining safe locations and potential evacuation routes. Also described herein are monitors which improve the detection of possible threats or risks by allowing a base unit to be used with various replacement sensor modules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/872,179, entitled “PORTABLE PERSONAL MONITORDEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS,” filed on May 11, 2020. U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/872,179 is a continuationof U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/068,322, entitled“PORTABLE PERSONAL MONITOR DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS,” filed on Jul.5, 2018. U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/068,322 isa U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application Serial No.PCT/CA2017/051177, entitled “PORTABLE PERSONAL MONITOR DEVICE ANDASSOCIATED METHODS,” filed on Oct. 3, 2017. International PatentApplication Serial No. PCT/CA2017/051177 claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/407,364, filed on Oct. 12,2016. The entire contents of each of the above-cited applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to portable personal monitor devices andassociated methods and systems.

BACKGROUND

Personal monitor devices encompass devices which are carried on theuser's person and are configured to monitor the user or the user'senvironment in order to determine whether the user is in danger. Theyare particularly, but not exclusively, used to monitor lone workers.

Lone worker monitoring is the practice of monitoring the safety ofemployees who may be exposed to risk due to work conditions in whichthey are located out of sight and sound from a person who may be able tooffer aid in the event of an emergency.

In some areas, including certain Provinces in Canada and the UnitedKingdom, legislation has driven the adoption of lone worker policies aswell as methods of monitoring the safety of these employees.

A worker may be considered to be working alone if the worker works byhimself or herself at a work site in circumstances where assistance isnot readily available when needed. In the past, employers couldeliminate the risk of workers working alone, as well as the need tocomply with the working alone requirements, if they chose to organizework schedules and workplace procedures to eliminate the need forworkers to work by themselves. However, in many job and/or fieldsituations this is not always possible.

Other methods have been developed to mitigate the risks to lone workers.These methods include:

Phone-based check-in systems. Employees are required to call in to adesignated receiver after a predetermined time. Check-ins are oftenperformed hourly or bi-hourly.

Buddy systems. Employees may be paired up to perform certain tasks.Theoretically, should an emergency occur and one of the employees berendered incapacitated, the other would remain available to call forhelp and provide aid. This system may be less reliable in cases wherethe threat can incapacitate both workers simultaneously (e.g. oxygendeficient and/or toxic gas environments).

Safety monitoring smartphone applications. With the widespread adoptionof smart phones, the deployment of a dedicated application allowingemployees to quickly request aid has become more feasible. Theseapplications may provide a panic button or allow for prompt check-inwithout requiring a phone call to be made. This system may not beoptimal where the threat is not detectable before it becomes dangerous(e.g. carbon monoxide gas is odourless and so may not be detected by theworker before they succumb).

Safety monitoring devices. Dedicated monitoring devices have become anew best practice in employee safety monitoring. Typically, products ofthis type offer multiple methods of alerting including both automatedand manual methods.

Gas detectors come packaged into two main form factors: portable devicesand fixed gas detectors. Fixed type gas detectors are generally mountednear the process area of a plant or control room, or an area to bemonitored. These industrial sensors are generally installed on fixedstructures and connected by way of a supervisory control and dataacquisition (SCADA) system for remote monitoring. The SCADA controloperates with coded signals over a communication channel system forcontinuous monitoring (using typically one communication channel perremote station). On the other hand, portable detectors are used tomonitor the atmosphere around personnel by affixing the gas detector totheir clothing such as mounting on a waist belt. These gas detectorsallow the individual to know, by way of transmitted warnings such asaudible and visible signals, when dangerous levels of gas vapors aredetected.

As noted above, it has long been established that monitoring of gasconcentrations in an ambient atmosphere for a particular area or regionis essential for the safety of the people working in those areas orregions. A natural or man-made gas leak could result in the toxicexposure of an individual, and thus detecting the leak is essential tothe well-being and safety of the individual or individuals in theexposed area.

In order for gas instruments to adequately measure and indicate risk,systems for monitoring on-going processes often correspond to a baselinesignature and compare the current atmospheric signature to thatestablished baseline. A deviation from comparison of the baseline to theatmospheric signature can be effective at eliciting a response to apotentially lethal exposure; or, alerting the individual to otheratmospheric risk based on the sensor measurements.

It will be appreciated that monitor systems may be used in situationswhere people are not working alone (e.g. working in teams; refineryworkers, water treatment plants etc.)

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided portablepersonal monitor devices and associated methods.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a portable personalmonitor device, the device comprising:

one or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters;

a communicator configured to support two-way voice communication with aremote device;

an alarm configured to notify the user of a threat;

wherein the portable personal monitor device is configured, in responseto the measured environmental or user parameters going beyond apredetermined range, automatically to enable two-way voice communicationand to activate the alarm.

The device may comprise a location detector configured to determine thelocation of the device; and wherein the device is configured to transmitthe determined location of the monitor device to the remote device inresponse to the measured environmental or user parameters going beyond apredetermined range.

The monitor device may be configured to send an alarm-mode signal to theremote device notify the remote device that the alarm of the monitordevice has been activated.

The monitor device may be configured to enable (e.g. initiate) two-waycommunication with the remote device in response to a user interaction.

The communicator may be configured to enable two-way communication withany one or more of a plurality of remote devices; wherein the monitordevice is configured to:

determine which of the plurality of remote device is closest to themonitor device; and

to activate two way communication with the closest remote device.

The monitor device may be configured to automatically activate two-wayvoice communication with a further remote device in response to anactivation request for two-way communication with an initial remotedevice being rejected (e.g. the request being declined or timing-out).

The two-way communication may be provided via cellular radio.

The portable personal monitor device may be configured: to initiatetwo-way voice communication after a delay period in response to thealarm being activated if a deactivation command has not been provided bythe user during the delay period.

The portable personal monitor device may be configured to:

restrict two-way communication being initiated by the portable personalmonitor device;

transmit an alarm signal to a remote device;

enable acceptance of two-way communication initiated by the remotedevice.

The remote device may be a remote server. The server may be monitored bya plurality of computing devices connectable to the remote server. Thisallows one alert on the server to be seen by multiple potential helpersvia the computing devices. The remote server may be configured to storedata received from the device in alert mode (e.g. including the two-waycommunication, threat data, location of user and/or time of threat beingdetected). The apparatus may be configured to restrict two-waycommunication being initiated by the portable personal monitor devicefor a period of time after detecting a threat.

The apparatus may be configured to enable multiple modes of voicecommunication.

The apparatus is configured to restrict two-way communication beinginitiated by the portable personal monitor device in response todetecting a threat.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a method comprising:

measuring environmental or user parameters;

notifying a user of a threat by initiating an alarm;

in response to the measured environmental or user parameters goingbeyond a predetermined range, automatically enabling two-way voicecommunication with a remote device and to activate the alarm.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a remote deviceconfigured to enable two-way communication with each of a plurality ofportable personal monitor devices; wherein the remote device comprises acontroller configured to prioritize two-way communications from devicesin an alarm mode.

The remote device may be configured to automatically record two-waycommunications with monitor devices which are in alarm mode.

The remote device may be a central server, cloud or other computer. Theremote device (e.g. cloud) may make the information available at avariety of terminals (e.g. smartphone or computer via a log-in) via theinternet.

According to a further aspect, there is provided personal monitordevice, the device comprising:

a location detector configured to determine the location of the device;

one or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters and to activate an alarm if the measured environmental oruser parameters go beyond a predetermined range;

a controller configured to associate one or more possible threats withone or more locations, wherein the controller is configured to providean indication of the possible threats based on the determined locationof the device.

The controller may be configured to notify the user if the one of morethreat sensors are not configured to detect all of the possible threatsassociated with the determined location of the device.

The controller may be configured to associate a possible threat with alocation based on one or more of:

-   -   information received from a remote device; and    -   detecting a threat at a particular determined location.

For example, if one device detected a H₂S, an H₂S threat could beassociated with that room and other detectors in the room without H₂Ssensors may immediately notify their users that they didn't have theright equipment.

The location detector may comprise: a GPS module. The location detectormay be configured to use local fixed-point anchor-node signaling todetermine location (e.g. fixed Wi-Fi points). The location detector mayuse cellular networks to determine location. The location detector maycomprise an indoor positioning system (IPS).

The one or more threat sensor may be configured to sense one or more ofthe following environmental parameters: concentration of a particulargas; airflow; temperature of the environment; humidity; radiant heat;and light intensity.

The one or more threat sensor is configured to sense one or more of thefollowing user parameters: motion of the user; orientation of the user;heart-rate of the user; time since user last initiated a report signal;and temperature of the user.

The device may be configured to activate and deactivate particularthreat sensors based on the possible threats associated with thedetermined location.

At least one of the sensors of the device may be replaced with anothersensor configured to measure a different environmental parameter; andthe controller may be configured to recognize which environmentalparameters can be measured by the attached sensors.

The device may comprise a two-way voice communication module.

The device may be configured to send an alarm signal to other users inthe vicinity in response to an alarm being activated.

The remote device may comprise one or more of: a further portablepersonal monitor device; a central server.

The monitor device may be configured automatically to accept a two-waycommunication initiated by the remote device.

The monitor device may be configured to associate a particular threatwith locations corresponding to an area or a volume.

The area or volume may be determined based on one or more of: distanceto a particular location (e.g. the location where a threat has beendetected); prevailing environmental conditions; physical barriers orimpediments; and nature of the threat.

The monitor device may be configured to changing configuration settingsbased on certain parameters such as the determined location. This mayinclude, for example, changing configuration settings based on certaincriteria (moving from zone A to zone B, device location, time, driving,walking, etc.). For example, the portable monitor device may beconfigured to change modes based on the speed of the monitor exceedingor falling below a predetermined threshold (e.g. 15 kph corresponding todriving).

The controller may be configured to store an association between one ormore possible threats with one or more locations in advance of a threatbeing detected in the one or more locations (e.g. by being associatedmanually or by automatic determination of the likely threats). Forexample, a user may manually associate a room with a gas line with thethreat of that particular gas.

The controller may be configured to store an association between one ormore possible threats with one or more locations independently of athreat being currently detected in the one or more locations.

The controller may be configured to store an association between one ormore possible threats with one or more locations in response to a userinteraction (e.g. a user entering an association between a location anda threat using a user interface such as a keyboard and screen).

According to a further aspect, there is provided a personal monitordevice, the device comprising:

a gas sensor configured to measure the concentration of detectable gasesin the environment of the monitor device;

a controller configured to:

store a relationship between the concentration of detectable gases andthe concentration of one or more particular gases;

determine the concentration of the one or more particular gases based onthe stored relationship and the measured concentration of detectablegases.

One of the particular gases may be benzene.

The detectable gases may comprise hydrocarbons.

The monitoring device may be configured to enable association ofcumulative exposure data with a particular user.

The personal monitor device may be configured to associate the measuredconcentration of the gas with a particular user, and to transmit themeasured concentration and user data to a remote device.

The monitoring device may be configured to store multiple relationshipsbetween the concentration of detectable gases with the concentration ofone or more particular gases, and wherein the monitoring device isconfigured to determine which relationship to use in the concentrationdetermination based on one or more of:

the location of the monitoring device;

the time; and

on the measured concentration of detectable gases

For example, the detectable gases could be used as a fingerprint todetermine the source of the gases. That is, the device may take aspectrum (using a spectrometer) of the detectable gases (e.g. IRspectrum). The device may compare this spectrum with stored spectra, thestored spectra corresponding to potential gas sources. The particulargas source can be identified in this way. Then the concentration of theone or more particular gases based on the identified gas source (e.g. itmay be known that the gas line contains 0.1% vol. benzene but the tankcontains 0.01% vol. benzene). The device may be configured to activatean alarm or otherwise notify the user and/or a central database orserver when the cumulative exposure has exceeded a predeterminedthreshold.

The device may be configured to:

determine the cumulative exposure to the one or more particular gases byintegrating the determined concentration over time; and

provide an indication of the cumulative exposure.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a personal monitordevice, the device comprising:

a gas sensor configured to measure the concentration of a gas in theenvironment of the monitor device;

determine the cumulative exposure to the gas by integrating thedetermined concentration over time; and

provide an indication of the cumulative exposure.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a portable personalmonitor device module, the device comprising:

a connector configured to receive a replaceable threat sensor moduleconfigured to measure environmental or user parameters and to transmitdata via the connector;

a controller configured to:

receive alarm data from a connected sensor module indicative of themeasured environmental or user parameters go beyond a predeterminedrange; and

initiate an alarm in response to receiving the alarm data.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a portable personalmonitor device module, the device comprising:

a connector configured to receive a replaceable threat sensor moduleconfigured to measure environmental or user parameters and to transmitdata via the connector;

a controller configured to:

receive identification data from a connected sensor module;

transmit identification data to a remote server;

receive configuration settings from the remote server based on theidentification data; and

configure how data received from the connected sensor module isprocessed based on the received configuration settings.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a portable personalmonitor system, the system comprising:

one or more portable personal monitor devices each having:

a location detector configured to determine the location of the deviceand

one or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters and to activate an alarm if the measured environmental oruser parameters go beyond a predetermined range; and

a controller configured to:

associate one or more possible threats with one or more locations,wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of thepossible threats based on the determined location of the device; and

determine an evacuation plan in response to an alarm being activated,wherein the evacuation plan is based on one or more of:

distance to a particular location; proximity of others; prevailingenvironmental conditions; physical capability of the users; physicalbarrier or impediment; and nature of the threat.

The evacuation plan may comprise one or more of: a muster location; andan evacuation route.

The controller may be configured to determine an evacuation plancorresponding to each of the portable personal monitor devices.

Each portable personal monitor device may be configured to convey thedetermined evacuation plan to the user by providing audio and/or visualguidance.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a method comprising:

measuring environmental or user parameters;

in response to the measured environmental or user parameters goingbeyond a predetermined range, automatically enabling two-way voicecommunication and activating an alarm to notify the user.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a method comprising:

determining the location of the device;

measuring environmental or user parameters activating an alarm if themeasured environmental or user parameters go beyond a predeterminedrange;

associating one or more possible threats with one or more locations,providing an indication of the possible threats based on the determinedlocation of the device.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a method comprising:

measuring the concentration of detectable gases in the environment;

storing a relationship between the concentration of detectable gases andthe concentration of one or more particular gases;

determining the concentration of the one or more particular gases basedon the stored relationship and the measured concentration of detectablegases.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a method comprising:

measuring the concentration of a gas in the environment of the monitordevice;

determining the cumulative exposure to the gas by integrating thedetermined concentration over time; and

providing an indication of the cumulative exposure.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a method of providingan evacuation plan to one or more portable personal monitor devices eachhaving:

a location detector configured to determine the location of the deviceand

one or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters and to activate an alarm if the measured environmental oruser parameters go beyond a predetermined range;

the method comprising:

associating one or more possible threats with one or more locations,wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of thepossible threats based on the determined location of the device; and

determining an evacuation plan in response to an alarm being activated,wherein the evacuation plan is based on one or more of: distance to aparticular location; proximity of others; prevailing environmentalconditions; physical capability of the users; physical barrier orimpediment; and nature of the threat.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a computer programcomprising computer program code configured to, when run on a device:

enable measuring environmental or user parameters;

automatically enable, in response to the measured environmental or userparameters going beyond a predetermined range, two-way voicecommunication and activating an alarm to notify the user.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a computer programcomprising computer program code configured to, when run on a device:

enable determining the location of the device;

enable measuring environmental or user parameters

enable activating an alarm if the measured environmental or userparameters go beyond a predetermined range;

enable associating one or more possible threats with one or morelocations,

enable providing an indication of the possible threats based on thedetermined location of the device.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a computer programcomprising computer program code configured to, when run on a device:

enable measuring the concentration of detectable gases in theenvironment;

enable storing a relationship between the concentration of detectablegases and the concentration of one or more particular gases;

enable determining the concentration of the one or more particular gasesbased on the stored relationship and the measured concentration ofdetectable gases.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a computer programcomprising computer program code configured to, when run on a device:

enable measuring the concentration of a gas in the environment of themonitor device;

enable determining the cumulative exposure to the gas by integrating thedetermined concentration over time; and

enable providing an indication of the cumulative exposure.

According to a further aspect, there is provided, a computer program forproviding an evacuation plan to one or more portable personal monitordevices each having:

a location detector configured to determine the location of the deviceand

one or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters and to activate an alarm if the measured environmental oruser parameters go beyond a predetermined range;

the computer program comprising computer program code configured to,when run on a device:

enable associating one or more possible threats with one or morelocations, wherein the controller is configured to provide an indicationof the possible threats based on the determined location of the device;and

enable determining an evacuation plan in response to an alarm beingactivated, wherein the evacuation plan is based on one or more of:distance to a particular location; proximity of others; prevailingenvironmental conditions; physical capability of the users; physicalbarrier or impediment; and nature of the threat.

In the context of the present disclosure, the terms and expressions usedherein may be generally defined or described as follows.

A user may be, for example, one or more of the following:

a person working at home such as telecommuters, affiliated marketers,writers;

a person in the energy industry or oil and gas Industry includingupstream workers like surveyors, land managers, drillers, and midstreamor downstream workers such as refinery workers and drivers;

a construction worker;

a mobile worker such as traveling salesmen, truck drivers, healthvisitors, repair technicians;

a person who works in any type of manufacturing facility;

a person working outside normal hours such as security guards, cleaners;

people with ongoing or potential medical issues;

a utility worker such as meter readers or technicians;

a self-employed person; and

People who work apart from their colleagues such as receptionists,retail clerks, service station attendants.

A portable monitoring device may include one or more of: a gas sensor,processing circuitry, one or more motion or accelerometer sensors, oneor more gyroscope or shock sensors, one or more two-way communicationmodules, one or more physiological sensors, one or more mode sensors,transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry.

The device or system may comprise processing circuitry to calculate,assess and/or determine the environmental conditions of the user basedon sensor data. The processing circuitry may include memory (forexample, Flash memory, DRAM and/or SRAM) to store, and transmittercircuitry to send and receive information over the cellular, satelliteor other such communication network, said sensor data and informationwhich is representative of environmental conditions (for example,atmospheric carbon dioxide). The device, machine(s), processor(s)(suitably programmed) and/or field programmable gateways (orcombinations of the aforementioned)) may be employed to calculate,determine, assess and/or determine the environmental risks for the userbased on sensor data.

Sensors and networking circuits may include, for example, one or moreaccelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, global positioning systemreceivers, short range wireless circuits which may include ANT orBluetooth or other short range protocols, multicast wireless sensor, tocalculate and/or detect the location of the user and transmit sensordata. Some devices are configured to use, for example, 3G and satellitewireless connections. This may mitigate the need for Wi-Fi networks,infrastructure and/or Bluetooth™ connections.

The device or system may be configured to enable the processes ofcalculating, obtaining, assessing and/or determining environmentalconditions on or around the user based on certain sensor data. Thedevice may be configured to determine threats based on multiple inputparameters (e.g. detecting a raised heart rate and an oxygen-deficientenvironment).

The device or system may be configured to enable the processes forcalculating, obtaining, assessing and/or determining communicationmethods and alerts initiated by or on behalf the user and/or a 3rd partybased on certain sensor data, according to certain aspects of thepresent disclosure.

The device or system may be configured to enable the processes forcalculating, obtaining, assessing and/or determining the environmentalstate of the user or surrounding the user based on sensor data,according to certain aspects of the disclosure.

The device or system may be configured to enable the processes ofgenerating alerts based on pre-determined levels or sensor thresholds.

The device or system may be configured to enable the processes oftwo-way communication based on transmission or triggering ofpre-determined levels or sensor thresholds.

The device or system may be configured to enable determining the stateof the user by evaluating the sensor data.

The device or system may be configured to use interchangeable sensors.

The device or system may comprise a user interface. The user interfacemay include one or more output mechanisms (for example, a display and/orspeaker) and/or one or more input mechanisms (for example, a microphone,and sensor and tactile gesture recognition sensor(s). The user mayacknowledge input data and/or commands from sensor related data);notably, any manner of and/or mechanism for outputting and/or inputtingof data and/or commands (for example, responses to, for example,queries) are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The portable monitoring devices may include one or more gas sensors anda two-way communication modem, and wherein the circuitry determines userstate. The portable monitoring device may also include one or morephysiological sensors, one or more mode sensors, transmitter circuitryand/or receiver circuitry. For example, any portable monitoring deviceof the present disclosure may employ or be implemented in any embodimentwhere the processing circuitry is disposed to enable connectivity withexternal sources.

The portable monitoring device may be configured to disable or hidealerts/alarms under certain conditions (such as driving) automaticallyso that the user doesn't have to deal with them. The device may beconfigured to recognize these certain conditions based on one or moreof: the location of the device, the time, and the speed of the device.

The portable monitoring device may comprise a single unit. The portablemonitoring device may comprise multiple units in communication with eachother. For example, the portable monitoring device may comprise a gasdetector unit in communication (e.g. wireless communication such asBluetooth®) with a portable electronic device with a controller and atransmitter (e.g. a mobile phone or laptop).

A portable monitoring device may comprise a controller comprising aprocessor and a memory having computer program code. A remote device maycomprise a controller comprising a processor and a memory havingcomputer program code.

Also encompassed within the present disclosure are corresponding methodsfor using the monitor devices and systems described above.

Also encompassed within the present disclosure are computer programs forconfiguring the monitor devices and systems described above to performtheir functions. Such computer programs may be stored on non-transitorymedia such as CDs.

In some cases, it will be appreciated that this technology may beapplied to fixed gas detectors in addition to portable personal gasdetectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects and features of the disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description of particular embodiments of the disclosure, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of various embodiments of the disclosure. Similarreference numerals indicate similar components.

FIG. 1A is a front view of an embodiment of a portable personal monitordevice.

FIG. 1B is a schematic of the components making up the monitor device ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a flow chart showing how two-way communications can beestablished.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a laboratory complex with a variety of possiblethreats.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing how the cumulative exposure to aparticular gas is determined based on the measurement of a detectablegas.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an embodiment of a base module for a portablepersonal monitor device.

FIG. 4B is a front view of an embodiment of a sensor module for aportable personal monitor device.

FIG. 4C is a front view of an embodiment of a monitor device comprisingthe base module of FIG. 4A and the sensor module of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4D is a schematic of the components making up the monitor device ofFIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is a schematic of how information is transferred between themonitor device of FIG. 4C and a remote device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an industrial complex with a threat and anumber of determined evacuation plans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described with referenceto the figures. For the purposes of illustration, components depicted inthe figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis isplaced on highlighting the various contributions of the components tothe functionality of various aspects of the disclosure. A number ofpossible alternative features are introduced during the course of thisdescription. It is to be understood that, according to the knowledge andjudgment of persons skilled in the art, such alternative features may besubstituted in various combinations to arrive at different embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Industrial chemicals leaked, spilled, or mishandled are common riskswithin environments such as manufacturing facilities. These facilitiesmay have incorporated real-time gas detection monitors with man-downalarms. Such an industrial facility may provide monitoring capability ofremote situations, in multiple locations, and across multiple platformsor geographies.

The inventors have recognized a need for improved monitoring systems toimprove the detection of threats and to improve the ability for usersand others to respond when a threat is detected. In the course of thedetailed description to follow, reference will be made to the attacheddrawings. These drawings show different aspects of the monitoringsystems and, where appropriate, reference numerals illustrating likestructures, components, materials and/or elements in different figuresare labeled similarly. It is understood that various combinations of thestructures, components, and/or elements, other than those specificallyshown, are contemplated and are within the scope of the presentdisclosures.

Moreover, there are many aspects and embodiments of the technologydescribed and illustrated herein. The present disclosure is neitherlimited to any single aspect nor embodiment thereof, nor to anycombinations and/or permutations of such aspects and/or embodiments.Moreover, each of the aspects of the present disclosures, and/orembodiments thereof, may be employed alone or in combination with one ormore of the other aspects of the present disclosures and/or embodimentsthereof. For the sake of brevity, certain permutations and combinationsare not discussed and/or illustrated separately herein.

Communications

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a two-way voiceenabled dynamic gas detector which may be capable of being ported to anylocation and functionally operable out-of-the-box at any such location.

This aspect of the disclosure relates to portable gas detectors whichincorporate two-way communication, such as M2M or machine to machinecommunications. The portable gas detector may include, in addition toone or more polymeric-type gas sensors, a singular or plurality ofaccelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, andpressure sensors.

FIG. 1A shows a portable personal monitor device 100. In this case, theportable personal monitor device comprises a threat sensor 101configured to measure environmental or user parameters. In this case,the threat sensor comprises an oxygen monitor. The level of threat isdisplayed on a display screen 110 of the monitor device 100.

It will be appreciated that other threat sensors may be configured tosense one or more of the following environmental parameters:concentration of a particular gas (e.g. toxic gases such as carbonmonoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide); airflow; lower explosivelimit (LEL); the temperature of the environment; the humidity; radiantheat; and light intensity.

It will be appreciated that other threat sensors may be configured tosense one or more of the following user parameters: motion of the user(e.g. to detect whether the user has stopped moving or is moving in anway indicative of a problem); orientation of the user (e.g. to detect ifthe user has fallen); heart-rate of the user; time since user lastinitiated a report signal; and temperature of the user.

In this case, the sensor 101 is connected to a controller 104 (shown inFIG. 1B) comprising a processor 107 and a memory 105 having computerprogram code 106. The controller 104 is configured to activate an alarm102 (in this case comprising a flashing light and an audio warning) ifthe environmental or user parameters measured by the sensor 101 gobeyond a predetermined range. In this case, the alarm 102 is configuredto be activated in response to the oxygen level being less than 20%(other values may be used such as 19.5%). Both upper and lower alarmlevels may be set.

It will be appreciated that gas monitors may be configured to measurethe relative amount of a gas in the atmosphere (e.g. as in this casewhere the oxygen level is reported as a percentage), or to measure anabsolute amount of gas (this may be important in low pressureenvironments, such as at altitude, where the relative amount of O₂ isacceptable but the total available oxygen is deficient).

In this case, the personal monitor device also includes a communicator108 comprising a microphone 108 a and a speaker 108 b configured tosupport two-way voice communication via a transceiver antenna 109 with aremote device (e.g. a remote server or another personal monitor deviceof a ‘buddy’ nearby).

The two-way voice enabled gas detector may be battery powered withextended lifetimes due to relatively low power requirements. Otherembodiments may be configured to generate electricity (e.g. from solarpanels). In some embodiments, such detectors allow the user tomanipulate the device in order to provide a proactive alertnotification, while offering a relatively high degree of reliability soas to minimize false positives.

A connected gas detector with two-way voice and real-time sensor relaysusing a self-contained cellular communication module may help reduce oreliminate much of the required infrastructure to provide remotenotification type of alarm monitoring. It also provides the wearer ofthe device the ability to articulate to an emergency response team.Furthermore, self-monitoring of the monitor devices may enable a remotesite to know whether it is operating properly.

Of particular note, in circumstances where remote gas sensors are notconnected to a hardwired infrastructure, over-the-air communicationoffers tremendous advantages. Such a compact and light weight safetymonitoring system, capable of detecting atmospheric gas and/or othermeasures of sensor inputs, could be easily carried or worn by personnelin the area of interest, being the gas detector would be capable ofoperating without a fixed install. Transmitting data in real-time mayallow the gas detector to remain connected regardless of the environmentor location where it is being used.

Regarding the communication transceiver 109, there is a need for a gasdetector that is robustly connected, allowing for it to freely andcontinuously send and receive voice and data over the air. In this case,the transceiver 109 is a cellular transceiver configured to connect to acellular or mobile network (e.g. T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc.). Thismay help allow communications to be established while operating withoutlocal infrastructure constrains, such as Wi-Fi, telephone or internetcables. Other embodiments may use satellite infrastructure (i.e.Globalstar, Iridium, etc.), and geospatial technologies, (i.e. globalpositioning systems) or Wi-Fi, telephone or internet systems. Somedevices may be configured to use local UHF radio frequencies. Forexample, the 33-centimeter or 900 MHz band is a portion of the UHF radiospectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio on a secondarybasis. It ranges from 902 to 928 MHz.

In this case, the portable personal monitor device 100 is configuredautomatically to enable two-way voice communication in response to thealarm 102 being activated and/or the environmental or user parametersmeasured by the sensor 101 going beyond a predetermined range. Forexample, the monitor device 100 may automatically initiate thecommunication and/or automatically accept two-way communicationsinitiated from a remote device. This would allow a remote person tocheck-in with the user of the portable personal monitor device 100 toassess the situation without the user having to take any specificactions. This may be important where the user has passed out or isotherwise incapacitated such that they are not able to initiate oraccept the call themselves. It may also be important where the user'sjudgement is impaired due to the particular detected threat (as may bethe case in oxygen deficient environments).

In this case, the monitor device 100 is configured to automaticallyactivate two-way voice communication with a further remote device inresponse to an activation request for two-way communication with thefirst remote device being rejected. For example, if the monitor device100 tried to call another user nearby but they are also suffering fromthe same threat they may not answer the call. When the two-waycommunication is declined or times-out, the monitor will automaticallyattempt to initiate a two-way voice communication with a differentremote device. In other cases, an alert will be sent to the remotedevices and the remote devices will be configured to initiate thetwo-way communication.

In this case, the device also comprises a location detector 103configured to determine the location of the device 100. The device is,in this case, configured to transmit the determined location of themonitor device 100 to the remote device in response to the alarm beingactivated and/or the environmental or user parameters measured by thesensor 101 going beyond a predetermined range. This would allow theremote user to more quickly determine where the user is in order tofacilitate a rescue if required.

It will be appreciated that the monitor device 100 may be configured toinitiate a two-way communication (e.g. via cellular radio) with theremote device in response to a user interaction. That is, the monitordevice may be configured to also operate as a conventional two-waycommunicator. In other embodiments, the ability for the device tooperate as a conventional two-way communicator may be suppressed ordeactivated when a threat is detected and the device is placed in athreat or alarm mode.

It will be appreciated that the monitor device 100 may be configured toactivate the alarm 102 in response to a user interaction.

It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the monitor devicemay be configured to send an alarm-mode signal to the remote devicenotify the remote device that the alarm of the monitor device has beenactivated. This may allow the remote device to prioritize communicationswith devices in alarm-mode. The monitor device may also be configured tonotify the remote device of the nature of the threat which activated thealarm. This may help the remote user to prepare to help (e.g. bybringing oxygen tanks to an oxygen deficient environment). This may beparticularly important for embodiments with multiple threat sensors.

Regarding which remote device to initiate contact with, the monitordevice may be configured to enable two-way communication with any one ormore of a plurality of remote devices (e.g. a plurality of otherpersonal monitors, a remote service, emergency services). In such cases,the monitor device may be configured (e.g. when the alarm is activated)to: determine which of the plurality of remote device is closest to themonitor device; and to activate two way communication with the closestremote device. This may be used to reduce the time it takes for help toarrive by calling on the closest person. It will be appreciated that themonitor device may be configured to determine the closest remote devicewhich is not also in alarm mode. This may help prevent the two-waycommunication being established with a remote user who is also not ableto help.

In some embodiments, the portable personal monitor device may beconfigured to initiate two-way voice communication after a delay periodin response to the alarm being activated if a deactivation command hasnot been provided by the user during the delay period. For example, adevice configured to detect if a user has fallen over may generate toomany false positives which may reduce the effectiveness of the system byinitiating too many two-way communications when not needed. By providinga delay period (e.g. accompanied with an audio or visual alarm to theuser), it would allow the user to cancel or deactivate the two-waycommunication thereby acknowledging that they are fine and happy tocontinue.

The remote device may be configured to automatically record two-waycommunications with monitor devices which are in alarm mode.

It will be appreciated that the system and devices described herein mayallow the functioning of a sensor (e.g. for atmospheric gas) to beremotely monitored to ensure it is tested and calibrated. If the sensoror detector is not working properly, or is not calibrated, notificationmay automatically be provided to the end-user and to the monitoringnetwork (e.g. via cellular or satellite communication, or other means ofcommunication).

Embodiments described herein may help address the current need to ensurecompliance of deployed calibrated and tested field units by triggeringan alarm should a unit be used without proper calibration.

Some embodiments comprise a communication module that allows two-waycommunication from a communication center to the unit which involvesfeedback from the receiver to the sender. This allows the sender to knowthe message was received accurately by the receiver (e.g. by a copy ofthe whole or parts of the message being returned to the sender). Forexample, the message may be a distress call initiated by the personwearing the gas detector; or, it may be initiated autonomously by thegas detector based on pre-determined safety criteria (e.g. level ofpotentially hazardous atmospheric gas, fall detection, no-motion).

Upon any event taking place that triggers the gas detector to go into anactive alarm, notification is relayed to a third party containingdetails of the alarm. For example, such detail may include the exceededlevel of CO₂ gas in the user/wearer atmosphere, or a fall detected bytriggering respondent mechanisms that measure physical stress, such asmovement and gravitational force; or both. The alarm affirmationpresents the opportunity for immediate real-time intervention. A uniqueserial number designated to the gas detector (e.g. corresponding to a“telephone number”) allows a 3rd party to access the gas detectorthrough a two-way voice enabled speaker phone. Such an attribute may bedesirable as the user of the device may be unable to respond to theemergency due to their own physical or mental incapacity. Further, itallows the 3rd party to quickly assess the situation by having an “openmic” to the location of the injured.

In certain aspects the processing circuitry of the gas detector receivespartially processed or “raw” sensor data. The processing circuitrypartially or wholly calculates, assesses and/or determines the triggervalues and elicits behavior based on the instructions updatedover-the-air (“OTA”) or shipped with the device, or both.

FIG. 1C shows a flow chart describing one way of providing two-waycommunications in response to the personal monitor device detecting athreat (e.g. such as the presence or absence of a gas or raised heartrate).

In this case, the portable monitor device may have a number ofcapabilities (some of which can be activated or deactivated) including:

the ability to detect a threat;

the ability to initiate a call;

the ability to receive a call; and

the ability to transmit an alert signal.

That is, the portable monitor device comprises a number of modesincluding a normal mode and a threat or alarm mode. These modes aredistinguished by having different capabilities activated or deactivatedin different modes.

In this case, in response to detecting a threat, the device is placed ina threat mode in which the ability to initiate a call is deactivatedwhile the ability to receive a call is retained in an active mode.Although this may seem counter-intuitive, the natural reaction when analarm is activated is for the user (or the device) to initiate a call toa particular person or device. While the user is attempting to initiatea call to a particular device, other potential responders may not beable to establish communications with the user to address their issue.

In addition to deactivating the ability to receive a call, the portablemonitor device is configured to transmit an alert to one or more remotedevices. In this case, the alert is transmitted via non-voice.

In some embodiments, the alert can be transmitted to multiple remotedevices to ensure that the alert is responded to promptly. This can beachieved in a variety of ways. For example, the alert may besimultaneously broadcast to a number of remote devices. Alternatively,as in this case, one alert is transmitted to a central server. Thiscentral server is configured to be monitored by a plurality ofend-terminals (which may be distributed across a wide geographicalarea—e.g. in Canada, US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand). When an alertis received by the server, this can be seen by any one of theend-terminals which are monitoring the server.

In this case, one of the end-terminals can interact with the server toclaim responsibility for that particular alert. This may help preventmultiple remote devices which are aware of the alert from simultaneouslyattempting to resolve the alert. In this case, when the user of a remotedevice has claimed responsibility for the alert, a signal is transmittedto the portable monitor device confirming receipt of the alert. Theportable monitor device may provide an indication to the user (e.g. anaudio-visual indication) indicating that the alert has been received.For example, lights may flash a different colour on the device or amessage may be displayed indicating the progress of the alert.

In this case, claiming responsibility for the alert also initiates avoice call from the remote device (in this case, either the server orthe end-terminal) to the portable monitoring device associated with thealert. Because the portable monitoring device is configured in thisalert mode only to receive calls, the call initiated from the remotedevice can be established thereby allowing two-way communication betweenthe user of the portable monitoring device and the person responsiblefor dealing with the alert. The acceptance of the call may take placeautomatically. Although the call is accepted automatically, the devicemay be configured also to emit an audio noise associated with anincoming call (e.g. a ring tone) which stops only when acknowledged bythe user (or a predetermined period of time has elapsed). This may helpprevent the call being accepted unknowingly by the user (e.g. with thedevice in the user's pocket) which may impede the responder ascertainingthe nature of the alert.

It will be appreciated that, in addition to restricting the initiationof calls, the portable monitoring device may be configured to controlhow, and from whom, calls are accepted in an alert mode. For example,the portable monitoring device may be configured to automatically acceptcalls when in an alert mode (e.g. without user input). This may bebeneficial if the user is incapacitated or otherwise unable to interactphysically with the device. Other embodiments may be configured torestrict which calls are accepted. For example, the portable monitordevice may be configured in an alert mode only to accept calls from arestricted subset of devices. For example, the restricted subset ofdevices may comprise one or more of the following: a predetermined listof devices, devices to which the alert was transmitted and/or deviceswhich have claimed responsibility for the alert (data relating todevices who have claimed responsibility may be transmitted to themonitor device in advance of the phone call being initiated).

It will be appreciated that the monitor device may only be configured todisable the call initiation function for a predetermined period of time.For example, the disabling of the call initiation function may bedisabled for 1 minute after the alert is initiated. The call initiationfunction may be disabled for a further period of time (e.g. 1 minute)after receiving confirmation that the alert has been received. It willbe appreciated that the duration of these periods of time may bedependent on the nature of the alert (e.g. the type of gas and the gaslevel). This may help ensure that the user can obtain help autonomouslyif the remote device does not provide help.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may not have the capabilityto initiate calls. That is, the capability to initiate two-waycommunications may be restricted in response to the threat beingdetected or permanently restricted or unavailable. In some cases, theportable monitoring device may be configured only to receive calls whenin an alert mode. That is, the ability to receive calls may be activatedin response to detecting a threat.

Some embodiments may be configured to have multiple protocols fortransmitting communications data. For example, one portable monitordevice may be configured to enable cellular communication data and totransmit data files of recorded voice messages. One or both of thedifferent voice protocols may be disabled (or enabled) when a threat isdetected. For example, the cellular communications may be reserved foralert situations, while data file communications may be used for normalday-to-day communications to increase productivity. In data filecommunications, packets of data may be sent between devices.

When in an alert mode, two-way communications may be recorded andassociated with that alert. When in an alert mode, threat data (gaslevels, heart rate etc.) may be recorded and associated with that alert.When in an alert mode, user data and alert data (e.g. location data,time stamps) may be recorded and associated with that alert. This typeof data may be stored by the personal monitor (e.g. similar to ablack-box flight recorder) and/or at the remote device.

Threat/Location Device

FIG. 2 shows a representative building complex 220 having a number ofpossible threats and a user 291 of a portable personal monitor device200 (e.g. such as the embodiment of FIG. 1A). In this case, the buildingis a laboratory complex 220. The device in this case comprises alocation detector (e.g. GPS module) configured to determine the locationof the device; one or more threat sensors configured to measureenvironmental or user parameters and to activate an alarm if themeasured environmental or user parameters go beyond a predeterminedrange; and a controller configured to associate one or more possiblethreats with one or more locations, wherein the controller is configuredto provide an indication of the possible threats based on the determinedlocation of the device.

It will be appreciated that personal monitor devices configured toassociate possible threats with the determined location of the devicemay or may not also allow two-way communication.

The building in this case is a laboratory complex having multiple rooms221-226 including a well ventilated central hallway 224, two offices222-223, a storage room 221 holding a supply of natural gas 227, afurnace room 225, and a laboratory 226 having two fume hoods 229.

In this case, the threats in the rooms 221-226 are different. Forexample, the storage room 221 contains the natural gas supply 227.Therefore the controller of the device is configured to associate thelocations within this room 221 with the possible threat of natural gas.

The furnace room 225 is configured to burn the natural gas in a furnace230 to produce heat, so the controller of the device in this case isconfigured to associate the locations within the furnace room 225 withthe possible threats of natural gas (e.g. if the furnace flame isextinguished but the gas supply is not stopped) and carbon monoxide(e.g. if the furnace is not completely combusting the natural gas). Itwill be appreciated that other embodiments may also be configured tosense carbon dioxide (e.g. if the furnace flue is blocked) and/or lowoxygen levels.

In addition to the threats associated with natural gas combustion (asthe fume hoods have gas taps), the laboratory 226 is also associatedwith possible threats associated with chemicals used within the fumehoods 229 or otherwise present in the laboratory. In this example, thelaboratory is associated with the threat of formaldehyde which is beingused in the fume-hood.

In this example, the monitor device comprises a plurality of threatsensors including a natural gas sensor, and a carbon monoxide sensor.

As the user enters and moves through the laboratory complex 200, theycan freely move through the well ventilated hallway and into theadjoining offices 222-223 as these rooms are not associated with anythreats.

When the user approaches the storage room 221 or the furnace room 225the device is configured to determine whether the device is configuredto detect all the threats associated with these locations. In this case,the device is configured to detect all the threats associated with theserooms so an alarm may not be sent to the user or to a remote device. Itwill be appreciated that the device may be configured to notify the userof the threats and that the device is configured to detect thesethreats.

When the user approaches the laboratory 226, the controller isconfigured to determine that the sensors available to the monitor deviceare not adequate to detect all of the threats associated with thislocation. In particular, in this case the current configuration of themonitor is such that it cannot detect the possible formaldehyde threatassociated with the laboratory 226. In this case, the controller isconfigured to notify the user if the one of more threat sensors are notconfigured to detect all of the possible threats associated with thedetermined location of the device.

It will be appreciated that threats may be associated with locationswithin a particular room and with an area outside the room (e.g. aroundany means of entry such doors and windows) so that the user can bewarned in advance of possible threats.

In this case, the controller of the monitor device is configured toassociate a possible threat with a location based on informationreceived from a remote device (e.g. a central server). It will beappreciated that other devices may be configured to associate a possiblethreat with a location based on another device detecting a threat at aparticular determined location. For example, if one device detected H₂Snearby, an H₂S threat could be associated with that area and otherdetectors in the area without H₂S sensors would immediately notify theirusers that they didn't have the right equipment. Similarly, if a devicehad detected a particular threat in the past, that threat may beassociated with that location even if the particular past threat eventhad been closed (e.g. the threat had ceased).

Other embodiments of the device may be configured to activate anddeactivate particular threat sensors based on the possible threatsassociated with the determined location. For example, the device may beconfigured to deactivate the carbon monoxide sensor when not in thelaboratory complex or within the halls or offices to help lengthenbattery life. It will be appreciated that the deactivation of one ormore of the sensors may be overridden by the user or by a remote device.Other embodiments may allow one or more of the sensors to be placed in alow-activation mode based on the location. For example, when in thehall, the natural gas sensor may be configured to monitor the naturalgas level periodically (e.g. once every 5 minutes) rather thancontinuously. This may help detect unexpected threats whilst maintainingbattery capacity.

Other embodiments may be configured to allow at least one of the sensorsof the device to be replaced with another sensor configured to measure adifferent environmental parameter. In such embodiments, the controllermay be configured to recognise which environmental parameters can bemeasured by the attached sensors. For example, each sensor may beconfigured to send an identifying signal to the controller in responseto being connected to the monitor base unit.

Other embodiments of the device may be configured to send an alarmsignal to other users in the vicinity in response to an alarm beingactivated.

The monitor device may be configured to associate a particular threatwith locations corresponding to an area or a volume. The area or volumeis determined based on one or more of: distance to a particular location(e.g. if a gas source is outside, the threat may be associated with aparticular distance from the gas source); prevailing environmentalconditions (e.g. if there is airflow, a gas threat may extend furtherdownwind than upwind); physical barriers or impediments; (e.g. gas mightfill a room defined by floor, walls and ceiling); and nature of thethreat (e.g. heavy gases may be associated with volumes at the bottom ofa room and light gases with volumes at the top of the room).

Other embodiments of the monitor device may be configured to changeconfiguration settings based on the determined location, time or devicespeed (e.g. the device may automatically be deactivated when the speedof the device is greater than 10 kph which may be indicative ofdriving). For example, the sensors activated may change as the usermoves from the storage room to the furnace room.

Other embodiments may be configured to change threat thresholds based onlocation. For example, if a particular room is associated with carbondioxide, the threshold associated with a carbon dioxide threat may belowered when the device is within, or close to, that room.

Other embodiments may be configured to control access to locations basedon the particular location and the capabilities of the device. Forexample, the portable monitor device may comprise a transmitter whichsends an unlocking signal to open a door to gain access to enter aparticular room. The monitor device may only allow the unlocking signalto be transmitted if the portable monitor device is configured to detectall the threats associated with the room. For example, if the room isassociated with a CO threat, and the monitor device does not currentlyhave a carbon monoxide monitor module, then the device may be configuredto prevent the unlocking signal being transmitted. If the user theninserts a carbon monoxide monitor module, then the unlocking signal maybe enabled to allow the user to open the door and enter the room. Itwill be appreciated that the doors in this system may be configured tobe openable from the inside of the room associated with the threat toallow easy exit regardless of equipment. In other embodiments theunlocking signal may be associated with a particular user. For example,a user who has exceeded a cumulative dose may be prevented from enteringa location associated with a threat which could increase the cumulativedose. Or if a user has not been trained to deal with the threatassociated with the location or have sufficient clearance to be in aparticular area, the code may prevent access to that individual.

In some embodiments, when a threat is detected within a controlledaccess location (e.g. with doors), the locks may be disengaged (e.g. inresponse to a communication from the portable monitors and/or from aremote device in communication with the portable monitor). This may helpallow responders to gain access in an alert situation.

Embodiments may be configured to not only to detect the presence ofparticular threat sensors, but also the status of the threat sensors.For example, the portable personal monitor may be configured todetermine whether the battery life is low and/or whether the sensorinspection has expired. This information may inform whether or not theone of more threat sensors are configured to detect all of the possiblethreats associated with the determined location of the device.

Low-Level and Chronic Threat Detection

Some threats, such as radiation and some chemicals are associated withlong-term exposure risks. That is, rather than the threat beingdependent on the prevailing conditions at a particular point in time,the threat can be the result of accumulated exposure to a particularthreat over an extended period of time. A particular chronic threat isbenzene (and other aromatic compounds) which is a dangerous gas that cancause long-term health risks.

In addition, some gases, such as benzene, are difficult to detect in aportable monitor. Therefore, the inventors have recognized a need toallow the concentration of benzene (and other aromatic compounds) to bemonitored.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the concentration of benzene ismonitored indirectly by correlating a gas chromatograph survey of thepotential gas source with the response of a broad range NDIR/Pellistorhydrocarbon sensor allows the estimation of benzene or other componentsof interest in the mixture. Further, a pellistor sensor can be run in amode where at various temperatures individual gas types can be measuredensuring what is being measured matches the predetermined benzenecontent. That is, the detectable gases in the mixture may be measured asa proxy for determining the concentration of a particular gas within themixture.

That is, the system in this case is configured to have the ability toempirically set or determine a relationship between a measureableparameter and a target gas or gases. For example, if it can bedetermined empirically that a particular feedstock has a 2 ppm benzenecontent in the air when the LEL reading is 25% LEL, we can accumulate abenzene reading as the LEL is measured. Benzene is typically detectedeither with PID sensors or with “tubes” made by Drager or MSA. The ideais that a person can measure the LEL and Benzene content in a particularfeedstock, enter that relationship into the web portal, and the portalwill enable the device (or the portal) to determine the benzeneconcentration based on the device measurement. Readings may be based onlower explosive limit and/or lower exposure limit.

This method allows for various gas mixes to be cataloged. In otherwords, the gas chromatograph survey allows the quantity of benzene (orother particular gas) within a potential gas source (e.g. a hydrocarbonmixture) to be correlated with the response of a particular gas threatsensor (e.g. configured to detect hydrocarbons in general). Therefore,if there has been a leak from the potential gas source, the quantity ofbenzene can be determined from the amount of hydrocarbons detected inthe air. It will be appreciated that the correlation may take intoaccount the differing volatilities of the different chemicals in themixture.

In this case, the portable personal monitor device module (such as thatdepicted in FIG. 1), may be configured to store a relationship betweenthe concentration of detectable gases (e.g. hydrocarbons in general)with the concentration of one or more particular gases (e.g. benzene) inthe memory.

In this case, the personal monitor device module also comprises a gassensor configured to measure the concentration of detectable gases inthe environment of the monitor device. The gas sensor may comprise an IRsensor or a pellistor sensor.

When the device detects a level of detectable gases, the controller(which may be housed in the portable personal monitor device) isconfigured to determine the concentration of the one or more particulargases based on the stored relationship and the measured concentration ofdetectable gases.

By monitoring the detectable gases over time, the controller can therebydetermine the cumulative exposure to the one or more particular gases byintegrating the determined concentration over time; and provide anindication of the cumulative exposure.

In this case, the device is configured to activate an alarm when thecumulative exposure has exceeded a predetermined threshold. For example,the device may activate an audio and/or visual alarm to notify the userand/or send an alarm signal to a remote device.

In this case, the monitoring device is configured to allow thecumulative data to be associated with a particular user. For example,the user may enter a code or key identifying the user when activatingthe monitor device. Whilst this key is being used, the cumulative datawill be associated with that user. When a new user enters their code,subsequent exposure of the monitor device to the threat will beaccumulated to the new user. This may allow the same device to be usedby different users. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments,the association of the user with the cumulative exposure may be made ata remote device (e.g. a server receiving data from the personal monitordevice).

In other embodiments, the user may be identified by the user selecting aname from a list displayed on the device or entering a unique PINassociated with the user. In other embodiments, a computer may scan anidentification document (e.g. badge) and the device to associatecollected data from that device with that user (e.g. until anotherassociation is made). This allows data collected from multiplesequentially-used monitor devices to be associated with the same user.

In other embodiments, the monitoring device is configured to storemultiple relationships between the concentration of detectable gaseswith the concentration of one or more particular gases, and wherein themonitoring device is configured to determine which relationship to usein the concentration determination based on one or more of: the locationof the monitoring device; the time; and on the measured concentration ofdetectable gases.

For example, regarding the location, the device may be configured torecognise that in a first location (e.g. a first room) a gas source with0.1% benzene is stored, whereas in another location (e.g. a second room)a gas source with 0.2% benzene is stored. Then, when gas is detected inthe first room, the device may be configured to add cumulative exposureto benzene at a rate of 0.1% of the total detectable gas exposurewhereas if the gas were detected by the monitor device in the secondroom, the cumulative exposure would be added at a rate of 0.2%.

Regarding the measured concentration of detectable compounds, the devicemay be configured to use the detectable gases as a fingerprint todetermine the source of the gases. For example, if one source was apropane source with 0.2% benzene, and another source was ethyne with0.01% benzene, the device may be configured to identify the proportionof benzene present in the gas based on the identity of the detectablegas or gases. That is, if the sensor recognised that the detectable gaswas propane, the controller would be configured to infer that benzenemay be present in the gas at a rate of 0.2%.

Modular Sensors

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a modular monitor device which can be used withreplaceable sensor modules.

FIG. 4A depicts portable personal monitor device base module 400 a, thedevice comprising: a base connector 431 a configured to receive areplaceable threat sensor module configured to measure environmental oruser parameters and to transmit data via the connector 431 a; acontroller (shown in FIG. 4D) configured to: receive alarm data from aconnected sensor module indicative of the measured environmental or userparameters go beyond a predetermined range; and initiate an alarm inresponse to receiving the alarm data.

FIG. 4B shows a corresponding sensor module 400 b comprising a sensor401 configured to measure environmental or user parameters; and a sensorconnector 431 b configured to facilitate transmission of the data fromthe sensor to the monitor device base module 400 a. The connector 431 bmay be common across a plurality of different sensor modules to allowthe same base module 400 a to be used with, for example, an oxygensensor and then a H₂S sensor.

FIG. 4C shows the base module 400 a attached to the sensor module 400 bthereby forming a complete monitor device 400.

FIG. 4D is a schematic of the various components of the base and sensormodules shown in FIG. 4C.

In this case, the sensor module 400 b is configured to store a threatcode associated with the particular threat that the sensor 401 isconfigured to detect. This is transmitted to the base module 400 a whenthe sensor module 400 b is attached to the monitor base module 400 a.That is, the base module 400 a is configured recognize what kind ofsensor has been attached based on the threat code data transmitted fromthe sensor module. It will be appreciated that data associated with thepredetermined range associated with a particular threat may be stored inthe sensor module and/or in the base module.

The sensor module may store one or more of the following: sensor type,cartridge serial number, sensor calibration information (e.g. lastcalibration date, calibration sensitivity, temperature compensationdata). The sensor module may communicate serially to the main unit.

FIG. 4D shows an alternative configuration. In this case, the base unit400 a′ is in two-way communication with a remote device 499′ such as aserver. When the base module 400 a′ is attached to a sensor module 400b′ to form a portable monitor device 400′, it receives identificationinformation 491′ from the sensor module (e.g. a serial number). It thentransfers 492′ this information to the remote device.

The remote device determines the type of sensor based on the receivedserial number in this case. The remote device may store associationsbetween one or more of: sensor serial numbers and sensor types, baseunit serial numbers and users; base unit serial numbers and user type(e.g. company, role within a company such as engineer, visitor).

Based on the received information, the remote device can then transmit493′ configuration settings back to the monitor device based on theidentified sensor module. The remote device may also establishconfiguration settings based on the type of base unit and the userassociated with the monitor device. The configuration settings maydictate how a threat is dealt with by the monitor device. Theconfiguration settings may include threat thresholds (e.g. values whichcan be used by the monitor device to determine whether an alert or alarmshould be initiated). The configuration settings may relate to whichremote device is contacted for one or more threats. The configurationsettings may comprise unlock codes corresponding to access points (e.g.doors) which the monitor device can provide to unlock those accesspoints. That is, the remote server may recognise that the user of adevice has had H₂S training and is now equipped with an H₂S monitor, andprovide the codes to unlock locations associated with an H₂S threat. Themonitor device may be configured to receive the configuration settingsand to configure itself based on the received configuration settings tocontrol how it deals with threats.

Allowing the remote device to control the settings of the device allowsfor greater flexibility. For example, it may allow the server to setdifferent gas thresholds for different people even though they are usingthe same gas sensor module. In another case, the device may beconfigured to activate particular threat-detecting capabilities based onthe information received from the monitor device and/or informationstored on the remote device. That is, particular threat protocols may bedetermined for individuals, companies, particular tasks, and particularlocations. It may also allow the protocols to be readily remotelyupdated (e.g. in response to an update in threat policy, or acontracting firm going to a new job site with different protocols)across a wide range of people without having to interact directly witheach portable monitor itself.

Dynamic Muster

It is common practice for an evacuation route and muster point to beestablished in advance. For example, in an apartment building, there maybe signs indicating the escape route for individuals in particularapartments (e.g. taking stairs and avoiding lifts) which guide theindividuals to particular pre-determined muster points. This works wellwhere there are predicable risks such as in an apartment where thelikely threat is fire.

In other situations, the particular threat combination may be difficultto predict. For example, in a laboratory or industrial setting there maybe many possible threats (e.g. fire, gases, liquid spillages). Theinventors have realised that there is a need to determine the evacuationplan dynamically based on data once the threat or threats have beenidentified. The evacuation plan may also be tailored to the individual'slocation or situation to help guide them to safety.

FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of a portable personal monitor systemdeployed in the field. For example, this may be the view displayed on aremote device in communication with the portable personal monitorsdeployed in the field. In this case, the system comprises: one or moreportable personal monitor devices (in this case four monitor devices 500w-z, each indicated by a star) each personal monitor device having: alocation detector configured to determine the location of the device andone or more threat sensors configured to measure environmental or userparameters and to activate an alarm if the measured environmental oruser parameters go beyond a predetermined range.

In this case, the system also comprises a controller (not shown), thecontroller configured to: associate one or more possible threats withone or more locations, wherein the controller is configured to providean indication of the possible threats based on the determined locationof the device; and determine an evacuation plan in response to an alarmbeing activated. In this case, the controller is located in a remoteserver which is in communication with all of the plurality of portablepersonal monitor devices of the system. It will be appreciated that, inother embodiments, the controller may form part of one or more of theportable monitor devices themselves.

In this case, the environment in which the system is deployed comprisesa gas storage tank 541, a wall 542, and a river 543 which is crossablevia a bridge 544. The current prevailing wind 546 in this example isfrom the northwest. Information relating to the current conditions maybe obtained from the portable monitor devices and/or fixed monitordevices (e.g. a fixed weather station).

In this case, the storage tank 541 houses natural gas. Each of themonitor devices 500 w-z comprises sensors configured to detect naturalgas.

In the situation in FIG. 5, one of the portable monitor devices 500 xhas detected a level of natural gas which is above the predeterminedrange. This causes an alarm to be activated. The data relating to thealarm and to the detected level of natural gas at the first portableelectronic device position is sent to the controller.

In response to receiving the alarm activation signal, the controller isconfigured to determine an evacuation plan for each of the portablemonitor devices 500 w-x within a predetermined range of the natural gassource. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, an evacuationplan may be determined for each of the portable monitor devices within apredetermined range of the monitor device which activated the alarm.

In this case, each evacuation plan is based prevailing environmentalconditions; physical barriers; and nature of the threat. In this case,the nature of the threat is a natural gas which may be damaging toinhale and may ignite and cause a fire. Such a gas will be blown towardsthe southeast by the prevailing wind. Based on this information, thecontroller determines that each user of a portable monitor device 500w-z should move to a safe muster point a predetermined distance upwindfrom the threat source (the natural gas storage tank 541).

How the threat is distributed (e.g. the risk as a function of location)may be calculated using a model (e.g. how a gas would move forparticular wind conditions). The model may take into account thetopography of the area including physical barriers and/or the threatreadings from each of the monitoring devices in the area (e.g. whetheror not the readings are beyond the predetermined range).

In this case, the evacuation plans comprise a muster location 551 a-band an evacuation route 552 w-z for each monitor device 500 w-z. Incalculating a route 552 w-z, the controller takes into account thecumulative risk of all the positions along the route. So for example,the users of the first and second monitor devices 500 w-x are guidedtowards the first muster point along fairly straight routes 552 w-x. Inthis case, each portable personal monitor device 500 w-z is configuredto convey the determined evacuation plan to the user by providing audio(e.g. a series of commands) and/or visual guidance (e.g. a map androute, direction indicators or text commands).

The closest route to the first muster point for the user of the thirdmonitor device 500 q would be to go around the wall at the same end asthe users of the first and second monitor devices. However, this wouldinvolve going directly downwind of the natural gas source. Therefore,taking the physical barriers (e.g. the wall) into account, thecontroller guides the user of the third monitor device along the longerbut safer route 552 y around the other end of the wall to the firstmuster point.

Regarding the user of the fourth portable monitor device 500 z, thecontroller recognises that the physical barrier of the river 543 meansthat the user of the fourth portable monitor device can only access thefirst muster point 551 a via the bridge 544. However, the bridge 544 isalso downwind of the natural gas threat source 541. Therefore, thecontroller guides the user of the fourth portable monitor device 500 ztowards a second muster point 551 b.

It will be appreciated that using dynamic muster points helps ensurethat a safe location is chosen based on the specific detected threat. Itwill also be appreciated that, because the location of the monitordevices can be captured remotely, it is not necessary that all personnelcongregate at the same muster point. That is, multiple muster points canbe established and monitored based on the location of the portablemonitor device positions in the field.

It will be appreciated that other embodiments may be configured to basethe evacuation plan on one or more of: physical capability of the users;distance to a particular location (e.g. to the treat source and/or to apossible muster point); and the proximity of others.

The system may be configured to monitor the position and location of oneor more of the monitor devices within a threat zone. The system may beconfigured to identify monitor devices which have not reached the musterpoint and/or monitor devices which are travelling a speed below acertain threshold (e.g. are not moving); and or monitor devices whichare not moving towards the muster zone (e.g. to identify personnelwithout the correct equipment attempting to save colleagues).

Zone Based Monitoring

The portable monitor device system may be configured to group portablemonitor devices within a particular zone as a group. The zone maycorrespond to a particular area or volume of space. When we identify azone we can easily look at just the people within that zone and reporton them as a group. The group it reports on would be dynamic and changeas people flowed in and out of the zone.

The portable monitor device system may be configured to communicate atext or voice message to people in a specific zone (e.g. based on adetermined location). This could be used, for example, to mass evacuatepeople in the path of a threat like a tornado or fire. That is, alldevices within the specified zone would receive the alert.

The portable monitor device system may be configured to show totalheadcount within a zone (e.g. at a particular time, such as when analarm was initiated). For example, this may be used to tally people at asafe zone after the evacuation of another zone.

The portable monitor device system may be configured to changeconfigurations dynamically based on location—for example, dynamicallychanging the emergency contacts based on geography to provide theclosest available responders in all cases.

The portable monitor device system may be configured to provide entryand exit alerts, to monitor people entering and exiting high risk zones.

The portable monitor device system may be configured to provide blackoutzones, where people are not tracked in specific zones (e.g. washrooms,lunchrooms).

The portable monitor device system may be configured to generate alertsif people enter zones they are not authorized to be in, either becauseof security clearance or they may not have the proper training to be inthose areas.

Data Aggregation

The portable monitor device system may be configured to monitor gaslevels dynamically, and transmit this monitoring data to a server forreal-time analysis. This embodiment allows existing systems to augment“heat maps” or “hot zones” where ambient gas levels may become unsafe.Without the dynamic action of a connect portable gas detector carried bya user, the constant feedback loop of atmospheric quality would belimited to only the fixed gas detectors; or, what is otherwise reportedmanually by a user when their traditional gas detector goes into alarm.

The system may be configured to generate a CO alarm on a device thatonly measures H₂S by associating data from a nearby worker wearing a COmonitor which encounters a high gas alarm. The alarm is sent to theserver, which checks to see if there are other devices close by. Theserver sends alarm messages to the close unit. The cloud server willmake decisions based on instantaneous, or cumulative, data as requiredfor each feature. The locations of every person may be important indeciding which information will be pertinent to other close by users.

In the embodiment, the gas detector has a series of health and warningindicators. The gas detector signals its own functional status (e.g.power, connectivity, etc.); while simultaneously being fully capable atreceiving messages. In such embodiment, the detector has a colored lightthat illuminates upon receiving a muster alarm. The muster alarm may benetworked to a single gas detector or multiple gas detectors from aphysical connected base station or administrators control panel accessedvia the internet.

Instrument readings that are provided as a result of independentreal-time communication, would also allow the gas detector to becomecapable of providing a “random walk” of sensor data. The random compiledwith fixed install sensor data, when fed into an analytical safetymonitoring system, would greatly augment the real-time sensor dataavailable. Such a stochastic process depends only upon the present stateof the gas detector sensor inputs, not on the sequence of events thatpreceded it. In other words, the gas detector acts as a spoke to manyhubs, rather than a hub to spoke. The sensor information provided has nobearing on the prior reading of the atmosphere before the informationwas given. Such an act of walking in a non-conforming area, when nearbygas sensors may be limited by their base of fixed installation, caneffectively augment conventional databases with more granular orentirely missing information. A portable and self-contained connectedgas instrument would complement wireless monitoring systems alreadyintegrated to fixed instrument reading relays. This information wouldprovide greater capability can certainty of predictive analytics toassess and mitigate risk.

Notably, the present technology also relates to techniques or methods ofcalculating, assessing and/or determining volatile or hazardousatmospheric conditions and and/or other activity-related quantities ofthe user based on or using sensor data (i.e. humidity sensor, heatsensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.) acquired and distributed toanother party by the capacity of the embodiment to communicatedynamically, for example, devices according to any of the of the presentdisclosures.

Other Points

In some embodiments, the alerts raised go through a safety workflow. Aworkflow is a series of steps that a report, inspection or otherinformation follows until complete and closed. Workflows may involveone, two or more steps. A variety of information could be added to aworkflow or report as it transitions through its steps, such as addingcomments and documents or assigning actions. This may help get theperson help right away and ensure that the most efficient procedure isfollowed, in addition to generating an audit trail so you can report onthe event and track trends in reports like it (e.g. reports generated bythe same safety workflow or reports which share a common characteristicsuch as individual or team involved, location, time, and/or threat).

In many embodiments, the sensors may be doing more than just sending theraw data. For example, the portable monitor device may be configured toperform calculations (using a processor) to provide instant or real-timefeedback to the user as well as the remote monitoring center. Forexample, the device may be configured compare detected gas levels withthresholds to determine a threat level. Some embodiment may also beconfigured to integrate readings from two or more of: temperature,humidity, raw gas readings, compensation curves as well as potentiallyother sensor information (such as O₂ when reading explosive gas). Thesemay be combined to intelligently decide on what to show the user as wellas what to send and log in the remote server. That is, the device isconfigured to intelligently log the event so that help can be delivered(or a phone call can be made) and we can report on these events andtrends in the future.

Transmission of the data and or alerts may be performed using acombination of 900 MHz and cell/sat with our data. This may increaserange and provide remote coverage worldwide not within a short range.Short range communications may also be used.

As noted above, data is sent to a server for processing which can beused for immediate help but also for automatic functionality/analysis.Using a centralised processor helps allow a multitude of actions to beprocessed all at the same time as well as trends to be identified andreported (to help proactively prevent them from happening in thefuture).

As noted above, some embodiments may be configured to track the shortterm exposure of the user, long term exposure of the user and the healthof the sensor itself. This allows us to far more accurately protect theuser locally and remotely.

As noted above the system is configured to intelligently make decisions.For example, the server configuration which can be accessed remotelyallows a alert response center anywhere in the world to monitor thepeople and the personal portable monitor devices. The server arrangementalso allows multiple people to monitoring them. The safety workflow inour system is configured to analyze the alerts and/or threats and tomake decisions. The data is recorded and reported to provide analyticson individual events or across all events (e.g. identifying trends).

Some embodiments are configured to, in situations where the call doesn'twork to initiate the sending of an email, a text (e.g. SMS or MMS),and/or data packets directly to the device to initiate a textconversation. This provides us a series of backup methods of contactingthe user or help.

Some embodiments are configured to calculate independent data such asexposures over certain periods of time and report/alert on these.

Some embodiments are configured to generate local and remote (e.g.remote audio/visual alarms. Safety workflows are configured to analyzeand make decisions to help the responder help as efficiently aspossible.

Some embodiments may comprise a accelerometer and a gyroscope incombination. The device may be configured to process data from both theaccelerometer and the gyroscope to determine whether a particular eventhas occurred (e.g. the user has fallen over) and to make a decision onthe portable personal monitor device then communicate it with the remoteserver if needed. Processing the data from multiple sources on theportable personal monitor device may help reduce false positives.

Aside from GPS some embodiments may be configured to use indoor locationtechnology such as beacons. The beacons emit a unique identifier whichis detected by the device. The device can decide what the strongestbeacon it detects is and then sends that to our server. The server thenhas a longitude and latitude association with the beacon ID (or otherposition information) and is configured to intelligently put the user tothat location on our map. This allows accurate locations without relyingon the user telling us where they are or GPS which may not work wellindoors.

The system (e.g. portable monitor device) may be configured tointelligently decide whether or not to show audio, visual and vibrationalerts to the user. They also let the monitoring center know how thealarm was generated which allows the responder (or remote device) toplace one-way phone calls with no indication on the device itself. Thisallows the responder total flexibility when responding to someone whomay need silent assistance.

As noted above, the system may be configured to use a combination of GPSand beacon locations to intelligently predict the closest location. Thismeans an area can be outfitted with beacons and our device will makeintelligent decisions on what it thinks its best location is (be it aGPS signal and/or a beacon ID). This is then processed with our databasein the backend to relay where the user is on a map. The system may beconfigured to react to a location, not just make a decision based on thelocation. This means if the device detects a beacon the device couldmake a decision based on that beacon and not the location. For example,the beacon may be associated with information such as particularthreats.

A beacon may be considered to be a transmitter that emits an ID (e.g.via invisible electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves) that can beprocessed and sent to a server to identify a location (e.g. each ID maybe associated with a location).

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated withrespect to embodiments and uses thereof, it is not to be so limitedsince modifications and changes can be made therein which are within thefull, intended scope of the disclosure as understood by those skilled inthe art.

1. A portable personal monitor device, the device comprising: a locationdetector configured to determine the location of the device; one or morethreat sensors configured to measure environmental or user parametersand to activate an alarm if the measured environmental or userparameters go beyond a predetermined range; a controller configured toassociate one or more possible threats with one or more locations,wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of thepossible threats based on the determined location of the device.
 2. Themonitor device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured tonotify the user if the one of more threat sensors are not configured todetect all of the possible threats associated with the determinedlocation of the device.
 3. The monitor device according to claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to associate a possible threat witha location based on one or more of: information received from a remotedevice and detecting a threat at a particular determined location. 4.The monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the location detectorcomprises a GPS module.
 5. The monitor device according to claim 1,wherein the one or more threat sensor is configured to sense one or moreof the following environmental parameters: concentration of a particulargas, airflow, temperature of the environment, humidity, radiant heat andlight intensity.
 6. The monitor device according to claim 1 wherein theone or more threat sensor is configured to sense one or more of thefollowing user parameters: motion of the user, orientation of the user,heart-rate of the user, time since user last initiated a report signaland temperature of the user.
 7. The monitor device according to claim 1,wherein the device is configured to activate and deactivate particularthreat sensors based on the possible threats associated with thedetermined location.
 8. The monitor device according to claim 1, whereinat least one of the sensors of the device can be replaced with anothersensor configured to measure a different environmental parameter; andthe controller is configured to recognise which environmental parameterscan be measured by the attached sensors.
 9. The monitor device accordingto claim 1, wherein the device comprises a two-way voice communication.10. The monitor device according to claim 1, wherein the device isconfigured to send an alarm signal to other users in the vicinity inresponse to an alarm being activated.
 11. The monitor device accordingto claim 1, wherein the monitor device is configured automatically toaccept a two-way communication initiated by the remote device.
 12. Themonitor device according to claim 1, wherein the monitor device isconfigured to associate a particular threat with locations correspondingto an area or a volume.
 13. The monitor device according to claim 1wherein the controller is configured to store an association between oneor more possible threats with one or more locations in advance of athreat being detected in the one or more locations.
 14. The monitordevice according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured tostore an association between one or more possible threats with one ormore locations independently of a threat being currently detected in theone or more locations.
 15. The monitor device according to claim 1wherein the controller is configured to store an association between oneor more possible threats with one or more locations in response to auser interaction.
 16. The monitor device of claim 15, wherein the areaor volume is determined based on one or more of: distance to aparticular location; prevailing environmental conditions; physicalbarriers or impediments; and nature of the threat.
 17. The monitordevice according to claim 1, wherein the monitor device is configured tochange configuration settings based on the determined location.
 18. Amethod comprising: determining the location of a portable personalmonitor device as in claim 1; measuring environmental or userparameters; activating an alarm if the measured environmental or userparameters go beyond a predetermined range; associating one or morepossible threats with one or more locations; and, providing anindication of the possible threats based on the determined location ofthe device.
 19. A computer program comprising computer program codeconfigured to, when run on a portable personal monitor device as inclaim 1: enable determining the location of the device; enable measuringenvironmental or user parameters; enable activating an alarm if themeasured environmental or user parameters go beyond a predeterminedrange; enable associating one or more possible threats with one or morelocations; and, enable providing an indication of the possible threatsbased on the determined location of the device.